TERRORIST ATTACK // Pray for the people of Manchester. A terrorist detonated a bomb as teenagers were leaving a concert in Manchester where pop singer Ariana Grande was performing. At least 19 are dead and almost 60 are injured. http://cvote.it/2qby4er
BUDGET BATTLE // The Trump administration laid out a budget framework which would lead to a balanced budget in 10 years by reducing the federal government’s role in Medicaid, disability, and welfare programs. Every year the federal government’s spending will rise, so a useful metric is to calculate federal spending as a percentage of the nation’s economic output. Obama’s budget saw federal spending rising from around 21% of economic output to just under 23% by 2026. Trump seeks to drive spending down from 21% of gross domestic product to just under 18.5% by 2027. http://cvote.it/2qbksjd
TRUMP TRIP // President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were very positive and happy when they met together in Jerusalem. “We understand each other and so much of the things we wish to accomplish for both of our countries,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. http://cvote.it/2ruLplT
RUSSIA // This is no surprise, but former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn invoked his 5th Amendment right not to incriminate himself in announcing that he would not testify to the Senate intelligence committee. http://cvote.it/2ruKGkR
LGBT // After failed legislative efforts to add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to state discrimination law, a Pennsylvania state agency is seeking to read those categories into law by executive fiat. http://cvote.it/2ruyCjH
MEDIA // Fox News spends a rare week in third place in cable news ratings. http://cvote.it/2qbIbA4
SOCIETY // Utah Sen. Mike Lee released a report on the state of civil society. He warned that intermediary institutions like churches and civic groups are finding fewer people willing to contribute their time and involvement. http://cvote.it/2ruFU6H
CATHOLIC // At a meeting with people affected by a rare and incurable genetic brain disorder called Huntington’s disease, Pope Francis made clear that destructive research can never be justified. said: “But we know that no ends, even noble in themselves, such as a predicted utility for science, for other human beings or for society, can justify the destruction of human embryos.” http://cvote.it/2qbGfax
CATHOLIC // President Trump will meet with Pope Francis tomorrow. Can they find common ground? http://cvote.it/2rurxiK
SAINT // Saint Gregory VII – http://cvote.it/dailysaint
DAILY MASS // “Your right hand saves me, O Lord.” (Ps 138:7) – http://cvote.it/Daily-Readings
NEAT // Man builds replica of St. Peter’s Square with 36,000 toothpicks. http://cvote.it/2rulzhY